Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 394 Prisoners of War (Part Two)

At noon, the soldiers of the battalion praised by General Pei each received a bowl of meat amidst the envious gazes of the crowd.

The fragrant, oily braised pork belly filled a whole bowl!
The food was even better than during the Chinese New Year!

Under the envious gazes of everyone, the braised pork tasted even better. The soldiers ate the meat with beaming smiles, but when they returned to their tents for their afternoon nap, they couldn't fall asleep at all and started boasting about it.

"I must have performed exceptionally well today to have attracted the general's attention."

"Pah! With your pathetic skills, you dare to boast. It was clearly my tall, strong, and powerful punches that attracted the general's attention."

"The general kept his word. He promised to reward us with meat, and we had it for lunch. Although the training was tiring and tough, I feel like life is more interesting than before."

"Yes, yes, that's how I feel too."

"Didn't the leader say that from now on, we are also Pei Family Army? We will do whatever the general tells us to do."

The soldiers who didn't get to eat meat naturally had something to say: "Their battalion only got the advantage of being loud; they shouted slogans so loudly that the general noticed them. Actually, we're the ones who practiced boxing better."

“We also shouted louder in the afternoon.”

"Take a nap to recharge your energy and spirits so you can train properly this afternoon."

By afternoon, the warm, dazzling sunlight had dispelled the chill of early spring. Urged on by their leaders, the soldiers threw punches with shouts and cheers.

Pei Qinghe surveyed the area with a smile, pausing occasionally to observe, and offering words of encouragement when he saw a battalion performing exceptionally well.

That evening, soldiers from two battalions were able to eat meat.

At night, they studied, learned characters, and recited military regulations, and no longer harbored any secret complaints or grumbles. The leaders said that the general attached great importance to literacy and there were regular assessments. Those who performed exceptionally well and could recite the military regulations fluently were also rewarded.

In short, if you listen to the general, train diligently, and study hard, you will have a good life.

Inside the military tent, Pei Yan, who had accompanied Pei Qinghe on a tour, couldn't help but complain: "No wonder the Bohai Navy collapsed as soon as it was attacked. Look at these soldiers, they're just piles of mud. I've been looking all day and haven't seen many decent ones."

Pei Qinghe was also somewhat helpless: "Poor military discipline, lack of morale, laziness and shirking responsibility—these are not problems that can be corrected in a day or two. We'll train them slowly!"

In other words, the soldiers' performance, which they thought was full of effort, didn't even meet Pei Qinghe's standards.

Training troops is never easy. To forge such a pile of scrap metal into a sharp weapon requires a great deal of effort and hard work.

Pei Qinghe was mentally prepared. For the next few days, he stayed in the military camp, training and eating with the soldiers every day.

The soldiers' progress is also clearly visible. Regardless of how well they've trained, at least their morale and spirit are gradually improving.

Don't underestimate this spirit. A victorious army needs this spirit. Those who fearlessly risk their lives in battle rely on this same spirit.

Shi Yan once again sent a large amount of military rations to the military camp.

"General, this is the latest batch of military rations, enough to feed the barracks for a month."

Pei Qinghe hummed in agreement, stepped forward, and touched Shi Yan's haggard face: "You've had a hard time these past few days."

Shi Yan didn't mince words, and sighed with a smile, "I'm really exhausted. Luckily, Yang Hu and Li Chi have led their troops away, otherwise, the amount of grain and fodder to be supplied would be too much to handle."

If the Bohai Navy had maintained its previous standards for raising troops, it could have saved half the money and supplies. However, the resulting troops would have been mediocre in combat and prone to desertion.

The Pei family army's expenses for raising troops are extremely high, unparalleled in the world. Naturally, the troops raised are also unmatched elite soldiers.

No matter how hard it is, it's necessary.

Pei Qinghe asked softly, "Has Shi Li left again?" Shi Yan nodded, "There's plenty of grain in the Sichuan-Chongqing region, and the price is cheap. It's just that the road is long and the terrain is steep and difficult to travel. A round trip takes three or four months. This time I gave him double the silver and also let him take an extra five hundred elite soldiers."

Buying grain wasn't difficult; the real challenge was transporting it back safely. There were displaced people and bandits along the way, and large quantities of grain would attract the covetous eyes of various garrisons. There had been precedents of troops disguising themselves as bandits to steal grain.

Every time Shi Li went out to buy grain, he would take the Pei-branded flag with him. Now, he was also escorted by genuine elite soldiers of the Pei family army. Anyone with sense would not dare to provoke him.

The couple, who rarely get to be together, whispered to each other for a long time.

"When do you plan to return to Yan County?" Shi Yan asked with a low laugh.

Pei Qinghe thought for a moment and smiled, "Let's wait another two months! Let's train these soldiers to be somewhat disciplined. We also need to give Prime Minister Pang and the others some time to pack their bags, bring their families, and go to Yan County."

"Prime Minister Pang is highly respected and capable. He has sent messengers to the northern army, and five generals have already sent messages expressing their submission. They will attend my enthronement ceremony in Yan County."

"So, there are still five armies unwilling to come?"

Pei Qinghe twitched the corner of her mouth: "I am a woman, and so young, there will always be people who are not convinced and unwilling to bow their heads. It doesn't matter, a few fewer people will not affect the overall situation."

What's the big picture?

The overall situation is in her hands; destiny is in her hands.

No one could stop her from moving forward.

……

After the spring plowing was completed, Prime Minister Pang and Vice Minister Qin, along with other civil officials, came to say goodbye.

Pei Qinghe ordered Pei Yan and Yang Huai to lead a thousand elite soldiers to escort him.

Prime Minister Pang hurriedly replied, "Both Ji Province and You Province are under your jurisdiction, and everything is peaceful. There is no need for so many people to escort us."

Pei Qinghe smiled slightly and said, "With the Pei family army escorting us, it will be enough to deter petty bandits and make the officials and wealthy families of Youzhou more respectful to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister need not refuse!"

General Pei intended to support him and give him face, so he really shouldn't refuse anymore.

Prime Minister Pang bowed and expressed his gratitude.

Vice Minister Qin and the others expressed their gratitude.

Pei Qinghe led his troops to escort them for ten miles before turning back.

Most of the civil officials were elderly and frail; Prime Minister Pang was nearly sixty, Vice Minister Qin was fifty, and even the youngest was over thirty. They traveled slowly in carriages, accompanied by their wives and children. A long convoy followed behind them.

Pei Yan rode along listlessly.

"We walk for an hour and rest for half an hour. At this speed, it will take half a month to cover several hundred miles." Pei Yan had also matured and her temper had subsided considerably. She privately complained to Yang Huai, "What use is this bunch of useless trash?"

Yang Huai took a handkerchief and wiped Pei Yan's hands: "You can't say that. During wartime, civil officials are indeed not very useful. But after the war is over, when a new dynasty is established and new laws are set to govern the country, civil officials will be of great use."

"With these civil officials supporting him, the general can rightfully ascend the throne as the emperor of the north."

Pei Yan pouted: "Fine, it's still useful, so I'll just have to put up with it."

Yang Huai couldn't help but smile.

Sixteen days later, Prime Minister Pang and his entourage arrived in Yan County.

(End of this chapter)